Kelly Epperson: Treat yourself to a daily dose of gratitude

Kelly Epperson

Thursday

Jun 25, 2009 at 12:01 AMJun 25, 2009 at 7:17 AM

I used to write a “what I’m thankful for” column every Thanksgiving, but fell away from that. I hate being predictable, and we need to express gratitude every day, not just the fourth Thursday of November.

I used to write a “what I’m thankful for” column every Thanksgiving, but fell away from that. I hate being predictable, and we need to express gratitude every day, not just the fourth Thursday of November.

Today I am surrounded by things that make me happy, and I am thankful for that. Look around your house. Does it bring you peace, comfort and joy? If not, add a little something that triggers gratitude reflection.

Gratitude knows no scale. Maybe it’s a big old grand piano handed down through the generations. Maybe it’s a 3-inch plaster butterfly your son made you when he was in kindergarten. (That would be my son.)

I just ate peanut butter toast. It makes me happy. And gives me protein. I recall my mom eating peanut butter toast during my growing up and I am thankful for her unconditional love. I recall my sons discovering they like peanut butter on their toast and I am thankful for my unconditional love of them.

I glance at my fridge. The pink magnetic pen is from Tammi, who has been my dearest friend since sixth grade. I love the pen’s brilliant handiness, and I’m grateful for friendships that endure time and the trials of life. I see the Dr. Seuss magnet from Chick Mary Joy. She has been my dear friend for only a year or so, but can make me laugh like no one else. I’m thankful that new friendships can bloom at any age and stage of life.

And of course, I am thankful to have a fridge. I drank Coke at room temperature while in Europe but have readjusted my taste buds to again prefer my beverage chilled. Ice cubes are something to be thankful for, too.

Music touches my soul, and my turntable, my radio and my iPod give me happiness. Dancing in the kitchen or belting it out like a diva are joy bringers.

I’m thankful for foot cream, my girly joy “classy tattoo,” sunless tanning lotion. I’m thankful for pizza, broccoli and orange sherbet. (Not in one sitting.) I’m thankful for my angels, the ones I can see and the ones I cannot.

Today I am over-the-moon grateful for air conditioning. Ninety-five degrees outside and no air movement can suck the joy from a normally chipper person. A little A/C makes life grand.

Flowers make me happy. The hanging basket of pink blossoms that I see when I pull into my driveway and that I can see from my front window makes me smile.

I advocate keeping a gratitude journal but admit that lately I have not done so. Tonight I start. The more we look for things that make us feel better, the more we find them. Yesterday I had a down day. I’m grateful for the friend who showed up with a six-pack and a hug.

Hugs, smiles, compliments. A little thing that carries a big message. I see them as buoys. They guide us and they float so we can hang on to them when we feel like we are going under. Most of the time I am buoyant, but we all have our days.

A quote I love is: “Be a lamp, a lifeboat or a ladder.” To all of you who have been that for me, I thank you. Many people have helped me on this journey called life and I am forever grateful. I hope to return the favor. Thank you.